Spravato®
Relief from depression is possible, even when it feels like nothing else has worked.
Spravato® (esketamine) is an alternative treatment option for patients with depression or suicidal thoughts. Unlike traditional antidepressants that can take weeks to show results, Spravato® works differently—and often faster—by targeting the brain’s glutamate receptors to help restore healthy neural activity.
At Psych North, we offer Spravato® as part of a personalized treatment plan for patients who haven’t found relief from other forms of depression treatment. Most patients experience symptom relief within hours to days of their first treatments, setting the stage for lasting hope and healing.
If you’ve tried multiple treatments without success and you’re ready for an alternative, it’s time to consider Spravato®. Our team is here to help you find a light in the dark with science-backed treatments and compassionate support.
What is Spravato®?
Also referred to as esketamine, Spravato® is an FDA-approved prescription nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. It’s self-administered under the supervision of a healthcare provider, such as our experienced providers at Psych North, and it can be taken with or without an oral antidepressant.
How Does Spravato® Work?
Unlike traditional antidepressants, which affect neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine, Spravato® works as an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that targets the glutamate system. The exact connection between glutamate and depression is still not fully understood, but scientists believe that glutamate plays a key role in mood regulation, learning, and memory.
By stimulating glutamate receptors, Spravato® helps restore neural pathways between brain cells that may have weakened due to long-term depression, improving communication between brain regions and allowing the brain to regulate mood and stress responses more effectively. This process can happen quickly—some people report feeling relief within hours or days, rather than the weeks typical antidepressants take.
What is Spravato® Used For?
Spravato® is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), including treatment-resistant depression and symptoms accompanied by suicidal thoughts. Generally, Spravato® is not a first-line treatment for depression. It’s specifically intended for people who have not experienced relief from their depressive symptoms when using traditional medications, such as antidepressants. When paired with another form of treatment, such as psychotherapy (offered at Psych North as an add-on), Spravato® can be a powerful tool for turning the tide on depression.
Our Spravato® Treatment Process
Psych North’s Spravato® treatment process is easy and straightforward. Here’s what you can expect when you visit us for your Spravato® treatment in Duluth or Hibbing, Minnesota.
Initial Assessment
Your Spravato® treatment begins with an initial video or in-person assessment where one of our providers will take the time to truly understand you—your mental health and medical history, current challenges, and treatment goals. All patients who receive treatment billed through insurance, including current and long-term patients, must complete an initial (or updated) assessment before beginning or continuing care.
In-Office Administration
Once we determine your eligibility for Spravato®, we will create a tailored treatment plan and schedule your first Spravato® session.
Treatment Schedule
Treatment usually begins with two sessions per week for the first month, and then transitions to weekly sessions for the next month. Based on your response, your session schedule will then be adjusted to weekly or bi-weekly. However, your treatment plan will be customized based on your individual needs.
Ongoing Monitoring + Maintenance
Throughout your Spravato® treatment at Psych North, our healthcare providers will continue to track your symptoms and well-being, adjusting the timing of your sessions as needed.
Follow-Up Assessments
All patients who receive treatment billed through insurance, including current and long-term patients, must complete periodic follow-ups with one of Psych North’s providers. This helps us ensure that we’re keeping you on the most effective treatment plan as your internal landscape changes.
For more information on Spravato® and how it can help you improve your depressive symptoms, give us a call at 219-209-2150. Together, we can find the right treatment that helps you move forward.
Spravato® FAQs
Spravato® (esketamine) works by targeting the glutamate system, which plays an important role in learning and memory, neuroplasticity (the building of new neural connections), and mood regulation. Some research shows that glutamate—the brain’s most excitatory neurotransmitter—can become dysregulated, which may contribute to depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts.
Over time, repeated doses of Spravato® may aid the brain in building new neural circuits associated with mood, offering long-term benefits and much-needed relief from depression.
s with any form of treatment, there are potential side effects of Spravato®. These include dizziness, nausea, anxiety, lightheadedness, and dissociation. The likelihood of experiencing these side effects is low, and they usually fade within a few hours of treatment.
Spravato® is not for everyone. Spravato® may be right for you if you have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) that hasn’t responded to at least two different antidepressants. This is also referred to as treatment-resistant depression (TRD).
Patients should be medically stable before receiving treatment. You may not be eligible for Spravato® if you currently:
- Have uncontrolled high blood pressure or hypertension
- Have a history of aneurysms, blood disorders, psychosis, schizophrenia, or certain dissociative disorders
- Have untreated or severe cardiovascular conditions
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Get in touch with our healthcare providers to discuss your options and find out if you’re an ideal candidate for Spravato® treatment in Duluth or Hibbing. We can work together to find an optimal treatment that provides meaningful results for you.
Esketamine is similar to ketamine, but they are not the same. It’s helpful to think of them as cousins—esketamine is one of the two mirror-image molecules (enantiomers) that make up ketamine. Specifically, esketamine is the S-enantiomer of ketamine, and it has a slightly different chemical composition that makes it better absorbed through nasal pathways.
A referral is required to receive Spravato® treatment at our practice, and is particularly crucial for receiving insurance approval and ensuring care continuity. The Psych North team can provide a referral if you do not have a provider.
Patients must meet FDA-approved criteria for treatment and complete Spravato® treatments in-office with a certified provider. Additionally, all patients who receive care billed through insurance must complete an initial (or updated) assessment and periodic follow-ups with one of Psych North’s providers, even if they have a referral from an external provider.
While a referral is needed for treatment, you do not need a referral to call to learn more about Spravato®. If you’re interested in trying Spravato® at our Duluth or Hibbing clinic, have questions about referrals, or want to learn more about the treatment process, contact our team directly at 218-209-2150.
Generally, Spravato® is covered by insurance, but coverage depends on your individual insurance plan. Before scheduling a Spravato® treatment at Psych North, consult your insurance provider to learn more about the treatments covered under your healthcare plan, and contact our team to learn more about the insurance plans we accept.
All patients who receive treatment(s) billed through insurance, including current and long-term patients, must complete an initial (or updated) assessment and periodic follow-ups with one of Psych North’s providers.
Insurance
Accessible care starts with knowing your coverage options.
Psych North works with a broad range of insurance providers to help make your care more accessible. We are also a Certified VA Community Care Provider. Coverage can vary depending on your individual plan—call our clinic at 218-209-2150 to learn more about which insurance providers we accept, and reach out to your insurance provider to find out which treatments are covered for you. All patients who receive treatment billed through insurance must complete an initial assessment and periodic follow-ups with one of Psych North’s providers.